The Eye Conditions You are at High Risk for that Lead to Vision Loss
We often hear about the effect that smoking and vaping has on our lungs and heart, as well as the cancer risk. But did you know that smoking can also harm your eyes? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the eye health issues that can arise from smoking.
Smoking vs. Vaping
Vaping has risks that are different from smoking. This is because vaping solutions often have much higher nicotine levels than cigarettes. While they do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, they do have other chemicals with known and unknown negative effects. Doctors and scientists are still learning the type and magnitude of the risks of e-cigarette use.
How Smoking and Vaping Harm Your Eyes
Here are some of the eye issues made worse by smoking, vaping, or a combination of the two.
Dry Eye
Dry eye happens when your eyes do not have enough of or the right kind of tears. Smoking with dry eye will exacerbate the symptoms, making your eyes more likely to feel scratchy, sting, burn, or be red. While dry eye can seem like it’s just an annoyance, leaving it untreated can lead to progressive, severe damage of the surface of the eye and permanent vision loss.
Cataracts
Smoking increases your risk for getting cataracts. A cataract is the clouding of your eye’s naturally clear lens. This leads to blurry vision and makes colors look dull, faded, or yellowish. Cataracts are removed with surgery.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Studies have shown that smokers and ex-smokers are much more likely to get AMD than people who have never smoked. AMD happens when part of the retina, called the macula, is damaged. This causes a loss in central vision and you are unable to see fine details. Your peripheral (side) vision stays normal. Sometimes medicine or laser treatment can help certain people with AMD from the disease getting worse, but there is no cure.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Smokers who also have diabetes risk getting diabetic retinopathy. This is when blood vessels in the eye are damaged, causing blurry or distorted vision and possibly blindness. Treatment includes medication, laser, or surgery.
Optic Nerve Problems
Smokers are at higher risk of damage to the optic nerve. Smoking increases the risk factors that lead to glaucoma, a disease that affects the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain and damage to this nerve can lead to blindness.
Uveitis
Smoking can lead to a disease that affects the part of the eye called the uvea. This is the middle layer of the eye wall. Uveitis is when this layer becomes irritated, causing a red eye, pain, and vision problems.
Thyroid Eye Disease (TED/Graves’ Eye Disease)
Thyroid eye disease is also known as TED or Graves’ Eye Disease. This is a disease of the body’s thyroid gland. One of the symptoms of TED is bulging eyes. Smokers with TED risk worsening their eye condition and possible loss of vision.
Additional Eye Health Consequences
Public health experts have noticed a growing trend toward both vaping and cigarette use, especially among young people, known as dual use. The full extent of health problems caused by combining e-cigarettes and tobacco products isn’t yet clear. But, dual users are more likely to report eye problems, light sensitivity, and headaches. Eye symptoms were made much worse and frequent in dual users than in people who only used one product. Serious eye injuries have also occurred when electronic cigarettes exploded, causing serious burns and lacerations to the eye.
If you smoke while pregnant, your baby is five times more likely to get bacterial meningitis as a child. This is when tissues around the brain swell. Meningitis can cause eye infections and other vision problems. Smoking during pregnancy can also increase the risk for premature birth. Premature birth puts your baby at higher risk for a serious eye problem called retinopathy of prematurity, leading to permanent vision loss or blindness.
Toddlers and children exposed to second hand smoke are also at risk for eye damage. A study suggests children as young as 6 years old already show signs of eye damage when exposed to second hand smoke.
Smoking and Vaping Cessation
The best thing you can do for your eye health and to preserve your vision as much as possible is to stop smoking and vaping. Both can be addicting and/or habit forming. Working with your doctor to make a plan that is right for you will help your overall long-term health and eye health.
The Importance of Regular Eye Exams
If you are a smoker, an ex-smoker, or are or have vaped, it’s very important to get regular eye exams. Catching an eye disease earlier on will lead to a better prognosis for your eye health and vision. So don’t skip the annual eye exam!
Need to schedule your next eye exam? Black Diamond Eye Care is your trusted optometrist serving Douglas County families. We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic technology and unhurried, personal care. Schedule your next eye exam today to protect your eye health and vision.
